This allegorical print bears the title The Genius of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione of Genoa – ‘genius’ in the sense of ‘guiding spirit’. The reclining youth wears the plumed beret seen in Castiglione’s self-portrait etching (cat. 25). Artistic creativity is embodied by a palette and a sheet of music, fertility by poultry and a rabbit; we see the trumpets and drums of fame, a huge palm of victory, and at top left the wreath of immortality. And yet weeds are starting to grow over the ancient sculpture and masonry: all human achievement is subject to the ravages of time.